CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer leads out his team onto the field before the start of the game between the Buckeyes and Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett runs the ball and tries to elude Rutgers defensive back Damon Hayes during the first half of a college football game inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State running back Mike Weber (25) runs the ball during the first half of a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State wide receiver Johnnie Dixon (1) runs in the open field during the first half of a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State wide receiver tight end Marcus Baugh possesses the football after making a catch during the first half of a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State running back Mike Weber (25) takes a handoff from quarterback J.T. Barrett during a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) is hit while throwing a pass by Rutgers defensive lineman Kemoko Turay during a college football game inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Rutgers running back Josh Hicks (8) runs in the open field during a college football game against Ohio State inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Rutgers running back Josh Hicks (8) runs up the middle while trying to elude a tackle attempt from Ohio State cornerback Marcus Williamson during a college football game inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Rutgers quarterback Johnathan Lewis (11) attempts a pass during a college football game against Ohio State inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State running back Demario McCall (r.) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammate Binjimen Victor during the fourth quarter of a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

CFB: No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers (09.30.17)

Ohio State running back Demario McCall (30) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teammate Binjimen Victor during the fourth quarter of a college football game against Rutgers inside High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on Sept. 30, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole)

– by Adesina O. KoikiA Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief

PISCATAWAY, NJ — At least in this year’s matchup, Rutgers, when looking at the scoreboard, did not lose to Ohio State as many points as in 2016.

That’s the good news. The very bad news is that Rutgers, after losing 58-0 against the Buckeyes last season in Columbus, once again was thoroughly outclassed by Urban Meyer’s outfit, to the tune of 56-0 on Saturday night at High Point Solutions Stadium in central New Jersey.

It was expected to be the laugher that it actually became, but the Buckeyes came into the contest still needing to improve its passing game. Tonight definitely was another positive step in the right direction, with J.T. Barrett throwing for 275 yards and three touchdowns tonight, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to Johnnie Dixon midway though the second quarter to give Ohio State a 21-0 lead and break the game open. Barrett’s pass total tonight was enough to pass Art Schlichter for first place on the all-time passing yards list at the school; Barrett now has 7,622 passing yards. He also became the first Buckeye to amass over 10,000 career yards while becoming just the fourth player in FBS history to have at least 80 touchdown passes and 30 rushing touchdowns in a career.

One of Barrett’s backfield mates, running back Mike Weber, scored a career-high three touchdowns in the contest.

While Ohio State’s offense gained over 600 yards (628), its defense barely allowed over 200 against a punchless Rutgers offense, which is now averaging just 8.8 points per game in its four contests this season against FBS opponents.

Probably the only point of interest in terms of the competitive nature of the game in the second half was whether the Scarlet Knights would actually score a point against the Buckeyes, and, with under a minute remaining in the fourth, the Scarlet Knights attempted a field goal to at least salvage something from the game. Andrew Harte’s field goal, however, missed.

*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from tonight’s game, with all photos taken by our senior photographer, Robert Cole. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 14 pictures in total.

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Read about your favorite sports - and cover them in person as well! Long-time ESPN Magazine reporter Adesina O. Koiki, along with various contributors, covers any and all sports from coast to coast, delivering interviews you want to hear with athletes, coaches and journalists. Join us!